Day 75: 4...

I think we've already established that I am absolutely terrible when it comes to packing. You would think that simply packing up one bedroom of belongings is easy, right? Wrong. Not when you've constantly collected things for three months and suddenly realise the amount of "stuff" you have piled up when you have to leave. Oh my gosh - I'm a holiday hoarder! I'm ashamed. I can just see the whole town with pitchforks and fire torches chanting "holiday hoarder, holiday hoarder" outside of the dorms now...

I've got into a bad habit of collecting leaflets and random pieces of paper from events I've been to. It's fine to do that at home, but not when you have to transport it all overseas. Like the programme from the jazz festival - do I need that? And the menu from the hotel I visited in my first week - do I really need that?

The little devil sitting on my shoulder tries to convince me that I need these pointless things:

"C'mon Gabrielle, Gabby, Gab! You never know, you'll be talking someone about Latvia one day and might need to remember the starter you had at that hotel - it's a keeper!"

"Ah, Gabrielle, it doesn't matter if it's all written in Latvian and you don't understand a word of it - that's what makes it special! Definitely a keeper!"

I know how you feel, Homer.

The mind is a very powerful force, too powerful sometimes. The little angel sitting on the opposite shoulder tries to talk some sense into me:

"Gabby, surely the memories are enough to take back to England with you - throw it!"

*slaps Gabrielle* "Snap out of it, girl! Think of the baggage fees"

Never trust a devil donut!

I've decided to look through each item and weigh up if I really need it or not. This will be fun... Talking of weight, I went to collect another birthday parcel from my best friend in England! I'm having to accept that my luggage will be way over the limit - and I am prepared to take the consequences.

This evening I met my boss for dinner at the jazz restaurant I've mentioned many a time - the first of my goodbyes. The night went on to see roars of laughter, delicious food and nostalgic reflections of my time in Latvia. She then presented me with the perfect gift from the university: a tea pot and cup with the university's logo on it. They know me so well!

Now every time I drink my favourite English tea, I'll think of Latvia - how very ironic indeed!

"The seed of happiness only blooms when one stays strong and never gives up" - Daisaku Ikeda